The exhibition "Radical Artists from the 1960s/1970s: Between Gesture and Geometry" at David Nolan Gallery, running through October 26, showcases the innovative works of artists such as Bruce Nauman, Richard Serra, and Barry Le Va. The show investigates the relationship between human bodies and constructed spaces, highlighting how these artists used their physical presence to measure and shape their environments.
Central to the exhibition is Richard Serra's short film, Hand Catching Lead (1968), which emphasizes the significance of gestures within spatial contexts, challenging traditional notions of sculpture and film. Similarly, Bruce Nauman's Sound for Mapping the Studio Model (The Video) illustrates the artist's exploration of space through his own body, transforming the studio into a canvas for reflection.
The exhibition also features the work of Dorothea Rockburne, who disrupts conventional representations by transforming paper and canvas into three-dimensional forms, exploring the interplay of light and shadow. Her recent works, influenced by Renaissance art, have garnered significant attention and acclaim.
Throughout the show, visitors can observe how these artists' practices reflect a broader social context, intertwining with movements such as the Civil Rights Movement and responding to the rapid urban development of cities like New York and Los Angeles. By reestablishing the body as a primary tool for experiencing space, these artists laid the groundwork for ongoing discussions about the relationship between physical presence and the environments we inhabit.
This exhibition not only highlights the radical approaches of the past but also resonates with contemporary issues surrounding the physical experience of bodies in increasingly constrained urban spaces, prompting a reflection on how we measure presence and interaction in a rapidly evolving world.